The Villain's Wife

"You don't believe me." Mrs. Brooke could see it in Lily's eyes. "I know… I'm sorry for wasting your time. I just thought that— "

"I can't do it." Lily's words were as clear as day. "Even if I have the reason to… I won't do it." The stern look on Lily's face was enough to tell her that there was no convincing her. She eyed Lily's stomach. This decision should be partly because of her pregnancy. Sighing, Mrs. Brooke nodded with a small smile plastered on her face.

"I understand." She said. "I'm sorry for bringing it up." The last time she was here, Lily's stomach was still small. Naturally, she never had any idea that she was pregnant.

"It's not a problem." Lily smiled. She did not need to explain the reason behind her decision. It was pretty understandable that she was pregnant. Could she really afford to investigate something that was purely an assumption based on some photos? The answer was a definite no. Her priority right now was her safety.

Mrs. Brooke sighed inwardly. Just what did she expect from a business woman like Lily? Surely, she would not invest her time and energy into something that did not give her any returns. "You don't have to believe me. In fact…. You can just forget about the words I said." Lily didn't respond. Instead she took another sip of her tea.

.......

Mainland China.

When Zhou Jingren finished talking to his mother, it was already eight in the evening. The plan was elaborate and yet fragile at the same time, one mistake could ruin everything. Because of this, they took a lot of time to discuss the details. Moreover, his mother and father had also asked him the details of what happened in the past.

When he realized that it was already this late, he immediately texted Lily that he would stay with Bei Tian for more planning before coming back home.

Zhou Jingren already knew that something was wrong when he walked inside the bungalow house where Bei Tian was staying. There was only silence accompanied by the cold. As if a window had been left open. Bei Tian never left the windows open. Not when it was starting to get cold outside. Jingren knew how Bei Tian hated the cold.

His face turned stern, senses on high alert as he took another step forward. Who would dare attack him in his own turf? Without saying anything, Zhou Jingren turned towards Secretary Go who seemed to sense the same thing. He then reached out the switch that was intended for the lights in the living room. Closing his eyes, Zhou Jingren tried his best to get used to the dark before he flipped it off.

The next thing that Zhou Jingren knew, two pairs of hands were already gripping his suit, trying to subdue him. He stepped back, his movements fast as he lifted his leg, kicking the person who stood in front of him. Zhou Jingren did not hesitate as he sent a punch towards the second man, his fist collided with the man's jaw. He heard a grunt followed by a thud.

He felt someone kick his back, he stumbled forward but he quickly recovered. The opponent was not here to kill, he thought as his hands found the thin platinum card that he specially made for himself. He had always hated knives, he would not want to always bring one in his travels. He found it too bulky, too savage.

This card however was small and thin. It was elegant. It was deadly.

Grabbing the card, Zhou Jingren moved towards the shadow who was approaching him. He tackled him, easily subduing the man in an arm lock before using the card to maim the tendon in the man's arm. The man let out a low growl, something that sent some satisfaction inside him. He smirked, moving as fast as he could to sever the man's Achilles heel.

When it came to personally killing people, Zhou Jingren would never feel any satisfaction in killing them immediately. He always found some beauty in torture, in prolonging the agony. The man let out a scream. Seeing this, Zhou Jingren moved towards the next one. Just like the other, he maimed the man's tendon, preventing him from even standing up. If he lives, the man would surely suffer forever.

Since the opponent did not show any intent to kill, Zhou Jingren chose to reciprocate, except he chose to punish them. The absence of bloodthirst from these men only meant that they might be here for a reason aside from killing him. He sneered. Unlike them, Zhou Jingren was the epitome of maliciousness.

The fact that they dared attack him here, only meant that they were prepared to face the consequences of their actions. Another man fell down from his slim card. He gulped, he could smell the rustic smell of blood all over the room.

"Alright… Alright… that's enough." The warm voice was followed by footsteps, tens of them. Zhou Jingren only became more alert. However, contrary to his expectations, the men did not attack him and Secretary Go, instead they surrounded him as the light in the living room was switched back on. "Ohhhh… that was pretty harsh."

Zhou Jingren squinted his eyes at the man who was sitting on one of the couches that was not damaged from the fight.

"You actually crippled them?" the man raised an eyebrow as he returned Zhou Jingren's sharp gaze. "Now… Now… I am not your enemy. Calm down. I am not here to kill you." The man's voice was warm and sweet. It reminded Jingren of maple syrup. He hated it. Squinting, Zhou Jingren took a step back as he observed the men surrounding him. His eyes then landed towards Secretary Go.

Just like him, Secretary Go was unharmed. However, instead of a card, he was holding a small dagger. Something that he always carried with him. "Where is Bei Tian?" Zhou Jingren asked. There was no way that these people could have beat Bei Tian in a fight. Unless they used something to subdue him, like some poisonous gas. "Where is he?"

"What is that in your hand?"Ignoring his question, the blond man asked. "Is that some sort of a weaponized card?" He eyes Zhou Jingren's bloodied hand. "I must say… I was not expecting you to be this ruthless." He chuckled. "But… I like it."

"Where is Bei Tian?" Silence followed Zhou Jingren's words as thick tension filled the air. "Where the hell is he?"